These are first impressions as I have just bought the camera. First of all, I'm surprised how easy it is to navigate through the menu and most of the controls. I am no techno geek, I was born before WW2, so if it is easy for me, it must be a doddle to most others. I loved the feel of the Canon EOS 30D. I had tried several cameras in different shops, but only the Canon really grabbed me. I have no idea quite what it is about the camera that was so appealing. It is certainly heavier than the 350D, which is the model my son has (and prefers because of its size/weight). But for me, the 30D has something almost intangible about it that makes me prefer it to any other brand or model. Hope this helps.

personal rating: 100%

Gregory Williams - AustraliaNovember 7th 2006 - 18:00 GMT

After having and still owning a way overpriced 10D, the Canon EOS 30D was a great step from the 10D. The best features being the larger viewing screen on the back along with the three colour channels in the histogram. These were the best features of this camera in my opinion. It should have been a 10 megapixel camera. I would have liked the pixels of the 5D but having been burnt once with the 10D, not going out on a limb to be burnt again. When Canon introduced the 20D at half the price of the 10D as well as the sell off of the 30D with most of the 10D features as standard for less than half the price. I will wait now for a better camera to give me the guts that I need. The 30D is borderline with the 8mp. Maybe 5D MK11?

personal rating: 80%

John Sawyer - United StatesMay 6th 2006 - 09:00 GMT

I have had the Canon EOS 30D SLR camera for about two weeks, having just upgraded from the Canon 300D. So far, I am extremely impressed. The camera feels and acts much more like a Pro-level piece, leaving my trusty DReb feeling a little like a toy. The most noticeable improvement is in the camera's reaction time, which is instantaneous. Also, AF seems a tad better, and performance with my Speedlite 550EX is much improved. Overall, the EOS 30D is a great upgrade for me.

personal rating: 100%

Fred Mellink - The NetherlandsMay 28th 2006 - 15:00 GMT

For just more than a year I own a PowerShot A95 compact camera with satisfaction. Nice 5MP pictures and enough features to be a great camera. But it is too slow for shooting playing kids, animals, etc. So I start saving money to go back to my roots of real photography. Approximately a month ago I bought the Canon EOS 30D and its superb. The major spec of the EOS 30D w.r.t. EOS 20D was the large LCD. I also love the Picture Styles, that is missing on the EOS 20D. A friend challenged me by asking to take a series of pictures of the same image with different ISO. He was really amazed about the quality of the 800, 1600 and even 3200 ISO shots. Very steady grip. Pity that there is no LCD protection like Nikon has. For me the Canon EOS 30D offers great value for money.

personal rating: 98%

Mike Jennings - CanadaMay 23rd 2006 - 21:00 GMT

I had the EOS 20D and sold it to purchase the Canon EOS 30D. I like the picture quality and low noise levels of the Canon, but I really dislike the rotary selectors and no ISO in LCD. Instead Canon added a stupid print button. I like the look and feel of the Nikon D200 and the button layout seems very professional. In the end its the picture that counts and Canon has it down for low noise shooting.

personal rating: 60%

Clive Dickinson - AustraliaApril 22nd 2006 - 23:00 GMT

I have just bought a Canon EOS 30D after owning a 10D. I loved the 10D but the extra cleanness from the 30D at high ISO's, the extra detail, the styles, the large LCD, the 1/3 step changes in ISO, the ISO in viewfinder display and the spot metering are metering are all changes worth considering. This is a very good camera!